Edward Zwick Directing Heart of the Sea

New Regency has set Edward Zwick to direct In the Heart of the Sea, the fact-based tale of Nantucket whaling ship the Essex, which was stalked and ultimately destroyed by a sperm whale in 1820. Stranded thousands of miles from home, the crew struggled to survive; they were lost at sea for 90 days. Eight were rescued.

Zwick wrote the script with Bedford Falls partner Marshall Herskovitz. They will produce with Paula Weinstein, with Palak Patel executive producing.

Variety says New Regency is honing the script and has begun planning this logistically ambitious period tale on the open water. The hope is to begin production late this year, with Fox distributing.

The film is based on the National Book Award-winning title by Nathaniel Philbrick.